The Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday unveiled a 'gold card' scheme for exporters to facilitate easy availability of export credit on best terms.

Under the scheme, all creditworthy exporters, including those in small and medium sectors with good track record, would be eligible for the gold card issued by individual banks as per the criteria laid by the latter, the central bank said in its policy statement in Mumbai.

It said banks would clearly specify the benefits they would be offering to gold cardholders and their requests to them would be processed within a prescribed timeframe.

"In-principle limits would be set for a period of three years with a provision for stand-by limit of 20 per cent to meet urgent credit needs," it said, adding that the card holders would be given preference in the matter of granting of packing credit in foreign currency.

Banks would consider waiver of collaterals and exemption from ECGC guarantee schemes on the basis of cardholder's creditworthiness and track record.

The government in consultation with the RBI had indicated in the Exim Policy 2003-04 introduction of a gold card scheme for creditworthy exporters with good track record.